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Merlin opened the door to his childhood home with glee.

"I'M HOME!"

Hunith smiled and hurried over to her son to hug him, "Welcome home my son!"

Merlin's friends entered the homely cottage to see the mother and son of the house having a moment but interrupting them would be rude so they kept quiet and waiting until one of the two broke away and noticed. Luckily for them, that didn't take long.

Hunith broke the hug first and opened her eyes to see Gwen, Arthur and his men smiling and looking slightly awkward.

"Well now, good to see all of you too!"

"Same to you Hunith" smiles Gwen as she came over to hug the older woman. Arthur followed suit.

The knights who were very excited to finally see Merlin's mother in person took the moment to study her as the King & Queen of Camelot exchange pleasantries with her.

Hunith was just a little shorter than Gwen, her forehead could touch the Queen's nose but no further. She wore a forest green head hat that kept her hair away from her face but she left two curly bangs of her dark brown hair to fall unto her shoulders, making her look younger than she really was. She dressed simply in a tweed green cotte, a long dress which is common wear for most female peasant folk; it is fitted to the trunk and let out from the hip by gussets. The dress Hunith wore had long sleeves and she also had on a cream apron that was tied around her waist. She had a kind face, a very homely aura about her and bright blue eyes just like her son.

Suddenly, she turned to the knights and smiled warmly at them, "I had just finished cooking, you lot are just in time."

Gwaine grinned in response, "That's good because Merlin is a good cook so I would suspect that his mother would be the same."

Merlin chuckled, "Then prepare to be blown away my good man."

Morgana was walking toward the castle of Nemeth just in time for Mithian ride into scene on her white stallion.

Mithian forced her horse to a stop to gasp in horror at her nightmare, "Oh Godsped!"

Morgana looked as frightening and as dark as ever.

"Well hello again Mithian" greets Morgana with a smirk playing on her lips and a mock curtsy to the Princess of Nemeth.

"W-why?"

"Well, I'm here to take something of course."

"What could you possible want here?"

"It is none of your business."

Mithian was still afraid but she straightened her back and looked at Morgana right in the eyes, "I live in this castle, it is my business."

Morgana raised a perfect eyebrow at the princess's sudden determination, "Are you sure you want to take me on yourself?"

Mithian was taken aback by that, "I-"

Morgana laughed, highly amused. "I'll come back soon enough to take what I need but in the meantime, Nemeth should prepare for what is to come." she warned. And then with a blast of wind she disappeared into thin air cackling loudly, causing Mithian to tremble in fear at the thought of what Morgana has plans for.

"That was delicious!" Percival complimented.

"Indeed" burped Leon.

"Well I'm glad you're all satisfied" beamed Hunith.

"Mom, you need to take Gwen to your room for your exam right?" asked Merlin as he began to clear things up.

"Well that could wait until after we clear up the dishes couldn't we?" asks Hunith as she gets up from her chair.

Mordred however shakes his head and stands from his chair, immediately helping Merlin clear the dishes.

"Do not worry, I'll help Merlin just do what you have to."

Hunith smiled, "Why thank you Sir Mordred, well then Gwen cold you come with me please? Oh and Arthur? You CANNOT follow. Understood?" she asked, looking pointedly at the blonde king.

Arthur nodded and waved Gwen goodbye before Hunith took Gwen by the arm to lead her away.

Gwaine, Leon and Percival had just finish setting up their tents outside Merlin's home when a woman who looked around Mordred's age came up to them.

"Hello there! My name is Beth, I am Hunith's neighbour."

The knights looked her over.

She had curly auburn hair and hazel eyes. Average height, maybe 5' 3 or 5' 4. Clear skin, slender but not too skinny, tanned skin and long eyelashes. She was dressed in a long crinkled white dress with off-the-shoulder peasant sleeves and a brown corset-style vest over the bodice. She was rather pretty for a peasant.

"May I ask what is your business at Hunith's house? Because the last time Camelot's knights were here, they were hunting for her lover, Balinor."

Leon blinked, wondering if he heard right, "I'm sorry did you say Ballinor?"

"Yes that is right. Why?"

Leon shook his head, "Nothing, nothing. Uhm, we are here on a social visit, no hunting down anyone or anything like that."

The curly-haired peasant frowned, "Your expression betrays you Sir Knight. The name Ballinor has put you at unease, why?"

"Annabeth!"

The knights turned to see Mordred coming toward them, "Why are you here?"

"And why can't I?" retorted the woman hotly.

"Because you cause unnecessary trouble."

"Hn! People don't know how to appreciate curiosity!"

"You mean busybodying, now head on home Anna."

The female flushed at the look the druid knight gave her and turned away from him, "Fine!"

She walked away, upset that she didn't get what she wanted and Mordred watched her go. Once she had left his field from sight, he turned to his fellow knights, "What did she want?"

Percival raised an eyebrow, "She wanted to know what was our business here."

Mordred nodded, "I am not surprised, like I said earlier, she is a busybody. Do not mind her, pay her no heed gentlemen."

But Leon knew better. He had to talk to Merlin and soon.

Arthur wanted to go on a walk so Mordred tagged along as an extra precaution.

"Now Mordred, I am perfectly capable of going on a walk on my own."

"Of course Sire but we are in unfamiliar lands and we wouldn't want anything happening to you plus Hunith said to stay with you."

Arthur sighed, he hated wearing his cloak when it was so scorching hot. It was unfair that Hunith had made him promise to keep a low profile. He knew he was King and all but he would have thought Ealdor to be trusted to keep quiet of his presence here.

Suddenly, Arthur heard the sound of a boy's laughter that made him stop in his tracks.

"Did you hear that Mordred?"

"Hear what Sire?" the curly-haired knight asked, acting dumb.

Arthur turned and saw a boy also wearing a hooded cloak playing with a small red ball; throwing it into the air and catching it several times.

What is he doing here all alone this deep in the woods?

"Young boy! What are you-"

The boy turned around but when he saw Arthur's face he gasped and took a step back but slipped and fell backward into the river behind him.

"NO!" Mordred screamed. The small boy struggled in the water as the the river carried him downstream.

"HELP! I CAN'T SWIM!"

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